Clive Grunshaw

And from next April, Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw will take over responsibility for commissioning domestic abuse services.

The shake-up follows the latest round of cost cutting by the county council, which last week agreed to axe key funding for support services it is not legally obliged to provide.

The refuges include two based in Fylde and Wyre.

It is right that public bodies should work together

Cabinet member Coun Tony Martin said difficult decisions had to be made about the future of such services.

He said: “It’s very much the judgement of Solomon in finding the most needy and deserving of many deserving causes.”

Mr Grunshaw said: “By taking on the lead commissioning role for survivors of domestic abuse and combining that with the work we are already doing supporting victims of crime, I am delighted we have been able to find a way to support the County Council in being able to continue funding for refuges.

“These are places of safety for women and children when they need them most and their work undoubtedly saves lives.

“The residents of Lancashire made it clear how they felt on this issue and it is right that public bodies should work together in these challenging times to find more efficient ways to continue delivering the services that people care so much about.”

The council has now set up a new annual £3m Prevention and Early Help Fund to help some of the most vulnerable.

As well as supporting refuges from a total allocation of £1.25m for domestic abuse services, there will be £1.25m for services for homeless people with complex needs and £500,000 for crisis support. Up to £1m will be spent on reconfiguring housing and support services for care leavers and young homeless and on services for homeless households with complex needs.

A cross-party cabinet working group had worked together to advise where to direct spending.

Trending

Witness appeal after axe attack on occupied car

£100k Aladdin’s cave discovered

Seven charged after drugs raids in Blackpool and Fleetwood

JIG AT THE RIG: 'Mass dance-off' at Cuadrilla's fracking site in Preston New Road